A/N: Please leave some comment so I will know what you think in this chapter. Thank you 

Khiegilsan 

"HOW CAN you be so stupid, Natsu!" I yelled at him.

I stared into his eyes as I tried to read the emotions underlying his eyes. He was also staring at me, maybe he was trying to read my mind as well because he was staring at me the way I did to him.

"Why don't you tell me the truth, Lucienne" he looks annoyed.

"I'm telling the truth now," I scowl "Are you stupid? Why would you let my father dictate your life?"

He narrowed his eyes towards me as if he couldn't believe what he just heard. "Are you really asking me that question, Lucienne?"

"Yes" I shouted at him "Because I don't understand why you agreed to what he wanted. I don't understand you!"

"You understand it Lucienne!" he said as he look at me sarcastically, "Or you just kept on telling to yourself that you don't fucking understand the whole thing"

I pressed my lips together, refusing to answer him "I saw you..." his voice broke down as if he was trying his best to control his emotion but it failed "You fucking tried killing yourself, Lucienne"

"I wasn't trying to kill myself"

He scoff "Really?" he ask me sarcastically "I fucking saw you drink those med Lucienne! Only to find out that you are diagnosed with a panic attack."

I could not answer him especially when I saw tears welling up in his eyes. My mouth opened a little and my chest suddenly closed.

"Is it hard for you to tell me that you're having a hard time?" he said almost in a whisper.

"I don't want to be a burden to you" I said.

"When have you been a burden to me, Lucienne?" he asked.

"I don't want to act like a leech to you" I said, I saw pain crosses on his eyes but I ignored it. I tried to fight this urge to hug him "My father—I mean, my uncle will surely use this opportunity to get money from your family"

"I don't care about the money"

"But I do care!" I yelled "because I feel like you were buying me to my uncle"

"Why don't you understand me, Lucienne?" he asked me softly which broke my heart into pieces.

I pressed my lips together, he stared at me for a moment before he walked towards me, and he raise his hand and gently caressed my cheeks. I didn't move because I really love the feeling of his warmth against my skin.

"Let's stop fighting, Lucienne," he gently said which caught me off guard "Please" he mumble under his breath "I'm sorry"

I swallowed the words I wanted to say to him before I raised my hand and gently wiped his tears on his cheeks. He didn't move, he just let me do what I wanted.

"We can't be engaged, Natsu" I say calmly, "I refuse."

"Why?" He asked me, "Is it because of your father?"

Pain crosses to my eyes and I smile at him "He told me that he wasn't my father. He is just... he is just my... my uncle" my own voice broke, Natsu stood there as if he was waiting for me to continue "But, I'm fine. Now, I finally understand why he can't accept me as his daughter."

He did not respond to what I said, but he took my hand and made me sit on my bed. I forgot to say that we are here in the room where I am staying at Levy's house. Levy left for a while to give us privacy.

"Why are you making me sit here?" I ask him frowning "You want to do it again"

His eyes widened as well as his lips parted "What? No... I mean, yeah but... what the fuck, Lucienne!"

I laughed softly, but I didn't give any comments. I look to my left, Uncle David will surely use this issue for his own greed. I have to stop him from using me to get what he wants in Dragneel. I felt Natsu pat my head so I swung my head to him.

"Lay down," he mumble which makes me blush a little "I wanna hug you"

"Wha" I feel embarrassed by his sudden request.

"I feel so tired. I want to hug you!" he demanded.

I lay down in the middle of the bed. He followed me. I was surprised when he suddenly put his ear to my chest, while his arm was around my waist.

My lips parted, as my heartbeat suddenly quickened. I knew he could hear that so I tried to hold my breath.

"Breathe, Lucienne"

"But..." I said shyly.

"Just breathe," he mumble "I won't do anything aside from cuddling"

I blush furiously but I did what he asked me to do. I slowly patted his head, no one speaking to the two of us - both savoring every moment.

"Can you tell me about your daughter, Lucienne" he asked me, breaking the silence between us.

"You want to know my daughter Luna" I asked looking at him, he raised his face so he could look at me "Why?"

He smile at me "I just want to know your daughter" he said sincerely "I just suddenly think, that the reason why you kept on refusing our engagement is because of her"

"Partly yes" I said, I want to protect you, Natsu.

He removed his arms around me and then lay down on the bed properly. He was facing me, he raise his hand and then gently put it on my cheeks "I see... so you want to protect her"

"I do"

"But how about your career?" he ask me "You sacrifice us for your dream"

Guilt suddenly crept into me. I couldn't answer him – he stared at me and then smiled at me "I'm sorry" he mumbled before kissing me on my forehead.

Without saying anything he left me there. I clench my fist as tears fall down on my cheeks.

See, this is the reason why I can't be with him.

I REMAINED my lips sealed despite the issue about my dating life. Even our closest friends didn't give a statement - they didn't ask us either.

After that day, I decided to just stay in my penthouse. For Levy's safety too.

"Things are getting out of the hand, Lucy. You have to give an official statement about your issue" Athena said.

We're having a conference now via zoom together with 'Lucienne' and 'Hotel Del Lucienne' managers.

"I want to sue the person who sent that picture to the media" I firmly said completely ignoring Athena's remarks "Are there any changes on our sales?"

The heads began to give their respective reports. So far, even though I have an issue, the number of our customers is increasing.

The conference lasted for almost three hours, after which I started reading the contracts of partnership that Athena gave me in the email.

I printed out the said documents, then I decided to go up to my room.

When I finally arrived at my room, I even stumbled a little, I sigh. Leaning against the closed door behind my back and taking my breath. From my office to here, I just slowly walked a short distance.

Yet, I was exhausted as if I had been on a long, long journey.

"Shall I take a break?" I ask myself.

Originally, I was thinking of going through the document as soon as I arrived. But as it is now, it was obvious that even a single letter wouldn't come into my eyes. I put the papers down on the table and lay down on my bed as if I was falling.

"Right," I mumble under my breath "I'm going to take a break"

The moment I muttered those words, feeling the soft blanket, and the feeling of fatigue finally struck as if I fell asleep.

It was already dark when I came back to my senses. My head was still in haze. As soon as I opened my eyes, there was Natsu in front of me. He was lying in my bed, facing me.

His ash – mauve eyes were shining like jewels in the moonlight.

"Pretty" I muttered like a sigh, "Is it a dream?"

Natsu didn't answer, his eyes, which were always excited with joy when he saw me were subdued. It must be a dream.

I thought so and slowly reached out, soon Natsu's cheeks touched my palm. Looking back, we used to lay like this as we talked about random things and then fell asleep. I spoke in a slightly dazed tone because of my soberness.

"I'm sorry if I kept on hurting you, Natsu. I'm sorry if I keep on refusing our engagement."

Then his red lips, which had stopped like pictures, moved slowly.

"I don't mind if it's you" it was a low voice "You want to protect your daughter and you now, you have achieved your dreams"

"Almost" still, I couldn't smile. I watched his face a little longer before I spoke again, "Natsu?"

"Yes"

"I'm chose to protect you in my own way" Natsu blinked his eyes "I don't want my uncle to use your family money for his own greed"

"Why do you want to protect me, Lucienne?"

"Because..." without realizing it, we're having a pep talk "Because I don't want you to lock in this situation"

Natsu didn't answer me again, I gave him a tight smile "I'm sorry, Natsu"

"Why?"

When he asked me back, I hesitated for a moment. And I brought up the words that I couldn't say to the real Natsu.

"I'm sorry that I love you"

But then he laughed. A smile spread as if a paint was spreading on his hardened face like a white statue.

"Why are you laughing?" I frown.

"Because you confessed that you love me"

"I love you like a fool" I mumble under my breath, "I tried to stop myself from loving you but I always failed" My fingers are still slowly but gently tracing his face "Don't you hate me, Natsu? I always chose to leave you"

Instead of answering, Natsu kissed my finger. His eyes were still in mine, it was like slightly telling me that I shouldn't take my eyes off him. The body temperature that touched my fingertips was regrettable that dug into Natsu's arms.

"Natsu"

Just like what he did to me once. I rubbed my face in Natsu's arms like a child. I buried my face and mumbled where I could hear a low heartbeat.

"But... I don't regret it," I said. Maybe we are not meant to be in this life.

I'd like you to look at me again with those glittering eyes. In our next life, I just want to hold your hand and find happiness in that warmth.

So I pray, at the end of this life, I'll wish for a next life where I am next to you.

"Lucienne" Natsu called me quietly, "It's okay," his hand stroking my head. "Everything's fine" as if he was reading my mind, he whispered in my ears. "Don't worry about anything."

"I want you to hear me confess my feelings to you" I said truthfully, "But, I can't"

"Why?"

"Because I can't make you happy"

He was taken aback, "I want to hear your confession, too" he said as he gently brushed his fingers on my hair "But now, don't think about anything. Sleep a little longer. From tomorrow, you'll get even busier again"

At that moment, I fell asleep like a lie. In an instant, as if the waves were coming back.

"Trust me, and have a good dream, my love"

I closed my eyes again to the gentle touch and soft voice that soothed me. Feeling the warmth of Natsu's body, hearing his heartbeat against my ears...

I fell asleep.

And when I opened my eyes in the morning, I was alone.

That afternoon, Natsu Dragneel announced that we are officially dating, which instantly become a trending. 

_________________________________ End of Chapter #23